figure

The definition of a figure is a number, a certain amount of money, a person's body shape or a notable person with an important or unique characteristic.

An example of a figure is the number 2.

An example of a figure is when you ask for a price for an item.

An example of a figure is a stocky person or a think person.

An example of a figure is a person you see far off in the distance who is in shadows.

An example of a figure is someone who stands in for a father.

verb

To figure is defined as to play an important role in something.

An example of figure is how a fact about global warming is important to the debate.

figure

the outline or shape of something; form

the shape of the human body; human form

an indistinct human form: two figures seen from a distance

a particular person's shape with respect to its physical attractiveness: a woman with a good figure

a person, esp. one seen or thought of in a specified way: a great social figure

a likeness or representation of a person or thing

an illustration; diagram; picture; drawing

an artistic design in fabrics, etc.; pattern

the symbol for a number: the figure 5

calculation with such symbols; arithmetic: very good at figures

Informal a general quantity of money as expressed by a specified number of digits: often used in comb.: a six-figure salary is at least $100,000

a sum of money

a series or pattern of steps or movements

Geom. a surface or space bounded on all sides by lines or planes

Logic the form of a syllogism with reference to the use of the middle term as variously the subject or the predicate of the premises

Music a series of consecutive tones or chords forming a distinct group which with other similar groups completes a phrase or theme; motif

Rhetoric figure of speech

Origin of figure

Middle English ; from Old French ; from Classical Latin figura ; from fingere, to form, shape: see dough

-·ured, -·ur·ing

to represent in definite form; give a shape to

to represent mentally; imagine

to ornament with a design

to compute with figures

Informal to believe; consider; decide

Music to indicate chords for (the bass) by writing the appropriate figures next to the notes

Origin of figure

ME figuren < the n.

to appear, often prominently: with in: you figure in all my dreams

to be a causal factor: with in: poor food figured in his ill health

to do arithmetic

⌂ Informal to consider; calculate

⌂ Informal to be just as expected or as anticipated: often used in a sarcastic or pessimistic way: it figures that I miss my flight but my baggage gets loaded!

figure Idioms

figure in

⌂ to add in; include

figure on

⌂

to count on; rely on

to consider as part of a scheme or project; plan on

figure out

⌂

to solve; compute

to understand; reason out

figure up

⌂

to add; total

go figure!

⌂

Slang try to understand; try to figure it out

figure

noun

a. A written or printed symbol representing something other than a letter, especially a number.

b. figures Mathematical calculations: good at figures.

c. An amount represented in numbers: sold for a large figure.

d. figures One of the digits specified as making up a larger number: a salary in the six figures.

a. Mathematics A geometric form consisting of any combination of points, lines, or planes: A triangle is a plane figure.

b. The outline, form, or silhouette of a thing: saw the figure of a cat in the window.

c. The shape or form of a human body: a fashion model with an attractive figure.

d. An indistinct object or shape: The figures in the mist turned out to be lampposts.

A person, especially a well-known one: a famous historical figure.

Impression or appearance made: cut a dashing figure at the reception.

A person, animal, or object that symbolizes something.

A pictorial or sculptural representation, especially of the human body.

a. A diagram: drew a figure of the office layout.

b. A design or pattern, as in a textile: silk with a paisley figure.

c. An illustration printed from an engraved plate or block.

a. A configuration or distinct group of steps in a dance.

b. A pattern traced by a series of movements, as in ice skating.

Music A brief melodic or harmonic unit often constituting the basis of a larger phrase or structure.

Logic Any one of the forms that a syllogism can take, depending on the position of the middle term.

verb

fig·ured, fig·ur·ing, fig·ures

verb

, transitive

Mathematics To calculate with numbers: figured the sum to be nearly a million.

To make a likeness of; depict.

To adorn with a design or figures.

Music

a. To write a sequence of conventionalized numbers below or above (the bassline) to indicate harmony.

b. To embellish with an ornamental pattern.

a. To conclude, believe, or predict: I never figured that this would happen.

b. To consider or regard: figured them as con artists.

verb

, intransitive

Mathematics To calculate; compute.

a. To be or seem important or prominent: a key fact that figures in our understanding of what happened.

b. To be pertinent or involved: His advice barely figured in my decision.

Informal To seem reasonable or expected: “I found my keys in the sofa.” “Well, that figures, given that you were sitting there last night.”

Phrasal Verbs: figure in To add in or include, as in making an account: figured in travel expenses when estimating the cost.figure onInformal To depend on: We figured on your support. To take into consideration; expect: I figured on an hour's delay. To plan: We figure on leaving at noon.figure outInformal To discover or decide: Let's figure out a way to help. To solve or decipher: Can you figure out this puzzle?

Origin of figure

Middle English, from Old French, from Latin fig&umacron;ra; see dheigh- in Indo-European roots.

From Middle English figure, from Old French figure, from Latinfigura (“form, shape, form of a word, a figure of speech, Late Latin a sketch, drawing”), from fingere (“to form, shape, mold, fashion”), from Proto-Indo-European*dʰeyǵʰ- (“to mold, shape, form, knead”). Cognate with Ancient Greek τεῖχος (teikhos), Sanskrit देग्धि (degdhi), Old English dāg (“dough”). More at dough.